At This Time Of Year, Even Nibbles Count

FRONT BURNER - EXPRESS LINE

Few of us come out of the holidays as thin as we went in. Here are tips from Weight Watchers:

Don't skip breakfast. You will feel hungry later when you are busy and perhaps have less access to healthful food, so you may be more likely to reach for a doughnut.

Count daily nibbles. Set rules, such as "I won't eat in the car or while I'm watching television." And keep track of what you eat during the day. Knowing you'll have to write it down will make you think twice about having that one bite.

The biggest holiday season of all may have just ended, but Sheila Lukins sees celebratory possibilities all year long. Her book, Celebrate! (Workman, $19.95), underscores that feeling at every turn. The recipes and text are shot through with the sunny flavor for which Lukins is so well known from the best-selling Silver Palate series and her current gig as food editor for Parade magazine.

Americans love a party, she says. "We are big birthday revelers. If someone gets a new job or moves into a new house, that's an occasion."

IT'S THE TOPS

From a Japanese breakfast to chefs to penny candy to Portuguese wine, the editors and writers of Saveur magazine celebrate their favorite people, places and things in food and drink in the January-February issue. Saveur, which is published by Winter Park's World Publications, is sold at newsstands and specialty food stores. For more information, check out Saveur.com.